Google Is In Talks To Invest In Virgin Galactic

Google and Virgin have been talking about some sort of deal for
months, says Kleinman.

There will be two parts to it, he says:

The first will see Google inject hundreds of millions of dollars
into a joint venture, with Virgin Galactic folding in the
technology it has developed as part of its efforts to build the
world’s first space tourism business.

The second component will involve Google spending roughly $30m
(£17.8m) in return for a small stake in the Virgin Galactic
holding company.

The terms of the alliance have not yet been finalized and could
yet be altered before a deal is struck.

The joint-venture is part of Google's plan to provide internet
access to billions of people who don't currently have it by
launching satellites into low-earth orbit. The deal will give
Google access to Virgin Galactic's satellite-launch technology,
Sky News reports.

Virginia Galactic, a commercial spaceflight company owned by
billionaire Sir Richard Branson, plans to be the first to carry
tourists into space.

Google has been exploring a variety of things in outer space for
a while now. This week it paid $500 million for Skybox Imaging,
which is a satellite company.